A method for processing person-to-person payments and money requests using
a computer network. A payment enabler linked to the Internet enables an
individual to register for an account through which the individual can
make payments to other individuals, request money from other individuals,
and access other functionality to facilitate the management of the
individual's financial transactions. At the time an individual authorizes
a payment to another person or directs the payment enabler to request
money from another person, the person to whom the payment or money
request is directed may, but need not, have already registered for an
account with the payment enabler. To communicate with individuals, the
payment enabler may use both Web pages and e-mail. An intermediary
typically operates the payment enabler and acts as a conduit for the
money transfer from one individual (the payor) to another individual (the
payee). This enables the payor to pay through a variety of different
payment methods and the payee to receive payment through a variety of
different methods. Individuals may make payments from and receive money
transfers into a stored value account. In addition to initiating
immediate money transfer and request money transactions, an individual
may use the payment enabler to schedule future or recurring transactions.
Address book functionality may provide users the ability to retain
information on counter parties. The address book may be integrated into
the money transfer and money request interfaces to allow an individual to
quickly select the counter party for a transaction.